Matsumoto Shave Ice is a long-standing shave ice shop that has been in business in Hawaii for over 70 years.
It’s a symbol of Haleiwa town on the North Shore and a popular spot often featured on TV and in magazines.
It is known as the original shave ice shop, opened in 1952 by Mr. Matsumoto, a Japanese-American who started the business by bringing a shave ice machine from Japan!
While Hawaii’s climate certainly makes you crave shave ice, Matsumoto Shave Ice attracts so many tourists that there’s a line year-round, even on rainy days.
Enjoying their shave ice after playing hard and working up a sweat on a hot, sunny day is especially the best!
Recommended Flavors at Matsumoto Shave Ice
At Matsumoto Shave Ice, you’ll see everyone enjoying shave ice of various colors!
In fact, Matsumoto Shave Ice has over 30 different syrup flavors, allowing for countless combinations.
In addition, there are plenty of toppings like ice cream, azuki beans, and mochi balls that are particularly popular.
Since it can be hard to choose, let us introduce three recommended flavor combinations!
The “Tropical,” a Big Hit with Locals
This flavor is a mix of classic Hawaiian fruits: lilikoi (passion fruit), guava, and papaya.
The color combination is red and yellow, so it might not be the most photogenic, but the taste is exquisite.
It’s a classic menu item for a natural shave ice packed with fruity flavors!
The “Matsumoto,” the Shop’s Top Recommendation
The flavor combination most recommended by Matsumoto Shave Ice is coconut, lemon, and pineapple!
The colors create a beautiful rainbow of red, yellow, and blue, and the taste is unique and intriguing.
By the way, the red is coconut, the yellow is lemon, and the blue is pineapple flavored!
The “Rainbow,” with its Overwhelming Presence
The classic combination at any shave ice shop is strawberry, lemon, and pineapple!
This combination is popular everywhere, and it’s arguably the ultimate classic shave ice flavor.
Although, the blue syrup is often “Blue Hawaii” flavor elsewhere. Haha.
If you’re undecided, you can’t go wrong with the Rainbow.
The Best Shave Ice at Matsumoto’s
Among these three recommended flavors, the “Rainbow” is probably the most popular.
The Rainbow drizzled with condensed milk is famous as the best shave ice in Hawaii!
If you have trouble choosing a flavor, be sure to give this one a try.
By the way, it’s not just the shave ice that’s popular; their merchandise is a big hit too, especially the T-shirts, which make perfect souvenirs.
Just like the shave ice syrups, there’s a huge variety, making it hard to choose. Haha.
You’ll find not only cute designs but also ones with Japanese kanji characters and even some with the owner’s (Stanley’s) face printed on them!
The Wall Art at Matsumoto Shave Ice
Near the cash register inside Matsumoto Shave Ice, there’s also a great photo spot!
Be sure to take a commemorative photo with your beautifully prepared shave ice.
Matsumoto Shave Ice is often crowded, especially between 1 PM and 3 PM, so the long lines usually make it difficult to take photos.
We recommend going in the morning or during the cooler season when it’s relatively less crowded.
But then again, it’s shave ice, so you’ll probably want it most on a hot afternoon. Haha.
On our tours, we also secretly share a trick for getting delicious shave ice on a hot summer day without waiting in line!
Basic Information about Matsumoto Shave Ice
| Name | Matsumoto Shave Ice |
| Address | 66-111 Kamehameha Hwy #605, Haleiwa, HI 96712 |
| Map | |
| Hours | 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM |
| Closed | Never |
| Restrooms | None (Public restrooms available in the area) |
| Parking | Available (Free) |
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